Inkstand.



No. 846,206. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

- J. A. IRVING.

INKSTAND.

APPLICATION TILED MAR. 9, 1906. RENEWED JAN. 28, 1907.

. %:UH. I Q4 q 15 k INVENTOR:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

INKSTAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907.

Application filed March 9, 1906. Renewed January 28, 1907. Serial No. 354,539-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMEs A. IRVING, of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inkstands, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My improvements relate to inkstands of the class comprising a reservoir provided with a font so arranged that the latter may be shifted by dipping a pen therein, so as to cause the ink to flow from the reservoir to the font to fill the pen. In such inkstands of ordinary construction the extent of movement of the font must vary in accordance with the quantity of ink in the reservoir in order to fill the font, and therefore the extent of movement ofthe font must be precisely determined by the hand of theoperator at each dipping operation, so that only sufficient ink shall flow to the font to fill the pen and not enough to overflow the font.

It is the object of my invention to provide an inkstand of the class described wherein the extent of movement of the font may be invariable regardless of the quantity of ink in the reservoir and wherein such movement is automatically limited, so that it isimpossible for the operator to cause the font to overflow.

As described, a convenient adjunctive feature of my invention is the provision of means to detain the font in a position where it remains charged with ink from the reservoir, so that a pen may then be repeatedly filled from the font without movement of the latter.

The form of my invention hereinafter described comprises a collapsible reservoir, conveniently a rubber bulb, which is secured in a casing in communication with the font. Said casing being provided with pivotal supports which permit the casing to be oscillated by a pen dipped in the font,'the arrangement is such that when released the font is upturned and all of the ink withdrawn therefrom by the expansion of the reservoir, and when the font is depressed ink is delivered therein from the reservoir by the compression of the latter, conveniently by an oven hanging cam or a rock-shaft.

It is characteristic of my invention, as hereinafter described, that a partial vacuum is maintained within the reservoir, and the outlet to the font is at the bottom of the reservoir. Such an arrangement has the following advantages: First, by reason of said vacuum all of the ink is normally withdrawn from the font, so that it cannot evaporate or be spilled from the latter, even if the stand is upset; second, a given tilting movement of the font will always charge it with ink to the same level, regardless of the quantity of the ink in the reservoir, variation in the quantity of ink in the reservoir being compensated by variation in the extent of the vacuum-space; third, there can be no accumulation of sediment in the reservoir or font, for the reason that the ink delivered to the font is always withdrawn from the bottom of the reservoir, (where sediment would be deposited if the ink were withdrawn from the top of the reservoir,) and the font and the duct connecting it with the reservoir are rinsed by the ink each time the font is tilted.

My invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement herein more definitely specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a plan view of an inkstand comprising a convenient form of my invention, showing the font detained in its charged position. Fig. II is a transverse vertical section taken on line II II in Fig. I. Fig. III is a side elevational view showing the font in its idle position. Fig. IV is an inverted plan view of the reservoir nipple. Fig. V is a perspective view of the slide arranged to detain the font in charged position.

In said figures, 1 is the base, to which the supporting-frame 2 is secured by the screws 3. Said frame is conveniently stamped from a single piece of sheet metal, having its opposite ends upturned to form the flexible side standards 5, which are provided with suitable bearings for the trunnions 6, projecting from the opposite sides of the reservoircasing 7. The casing 7 incloses the collapsible reservoir 8 and comprises separable hemispherical shells overlapped, as at 10, the lower one of which is provided with a square opening, through which the squared portion 12 of the nipple 13 extends. Said nipple is conveniently provided with a flange 15 within the reservoir 8, its opposite end 16 being in threaded engagement with the elbow 18, between which and the casing 6 the washer 19 is interposed. By the arran ement just described, and as best shown y reference to Fig. II, the nipple 13 may be drawn down to insure a liquid-tight joint by IIO rotation of the elbow 18 to engage its flange with any desired degree of pressure upon the inner surface of the reservoir 8, which latter is in communication with the font through the tube 21, also in threaded engagement with the elbow 18, as shown in Fig. II. A rock-shaft 23, which is mounted above the casing 7 and journaled for oscillation in the side standards 5, carries the cam 25, which extends through a suitable opening 27 in the upper hemisphere of the casing 7 and which has its periphery in engagement with the reservoir 8 and so arranged that when the font 20 is depressed the reservoir 8 is oscillated on its trunnions 6, thereby rotating the cam by its peripheral engagement to compress said reservoir 8 and to force sufficient of its contents 28 to charge the font 20.

In order to prevent undue rotation of the cam 25, its shaft 23 is provided with a lever 29, arranged to engage the stop-pin 30, projecting from the standard 5, which, as best shown in Fig. III, checks the rotation of said cam 25 in such position that it at once operates to compress the reservoir 8 upon its slightest rotation in the opposite direction.

The font 20 is limited in its downward movement by the stoplug 32, which extends upwardly from the frame 2 and is preferably formed integrally therewith and is arranged to prevent the font 20 being depressed sufliciently to permit the ink forced therein to overflow. As it is convenient when continuously using ink that the font 20 should remain charged, I have provided a slide 35, which is mounted in slideways 36 in the standards 5 and arranged. to be shifted transversely beneath the casing 7 and pro vided with a lug 38, arranged to engage the elbow 18, as best shown in Fig. II, whereby the normal return of the oscillatory structure is prevented. The slide is slightly sprung before it is inserted. in its slideways 36, so as to offer sufficient resistance to prevent its being accidentally shifted, and comprises the projections 39, arranged to limit its throw. Said slide also comprises the lug 40, arranged. to engage said elbow 18, and thereby limit the upward movement of the font 20.

As shown in Fig. I, the base 1 is provided with. grooves 42 and 43, arranged to receive penholders, and, as shown in Figs. II and III, the upper edges of the standards 5 are conveniently provided with recesses 44 for the same purpose.

The structure may be readily taken apart to facilitate the cleaning and filling of the reservoir as follows: By flexing the standards 5 outwardly the rock-shaft 23 and the trunnions 6 of the reservoir are freed from their bearings. The upper hemisphere of the casing 7 may be then removed to give the operator free access to the collapsible reservoir 8, which may be alternately collapsed and released under water by the thumb of the operator, and thereby water may be drawn in and expelled through the font 20 and its connections with the reservoir until they have been thoroughly cleansed, when the water may be expelled by collapsing the reservoir 8, and while still collapsed ink may be poured into the font 20 and the reservoir gradually released to take up said ink as it enters said font. The reservoir being thus filled, it may be again inserted in its bearings by flexing the standards 5 outwardly, as before.

It may be noted that by the arrangement of the parts herein shown and described the ink 28 in the font 20 will always assume substantially the same level when said font is depressed, by reason of the fact that a partial vacuum is maintained in the reservoir 8, which latter when distended takes up all of the ink in the font 20 and in the tube connecting it with. said reservoir and also sufficient air to compensate for the bulk of liquid used from said font. Furthermore, the restricted aperture leading into the reservoir below its liquid-level prevents the contact with the ink therein contained of air-currents, and therefore the possibility of evaporation or corrosion is eliminated. Moreover, the ink by reason of being expelled and drawn in at the bottom of the reservoir is maintained in a state of agitation, and thereby prevents sediment or scum from collecting in the reservoir and enables the operator to obtain a free-flowing liquid.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention; also, it is to be understood. that I have for convenience of description used ink in a descriptive and not a restrictive sense, for it is obvious that the device may be used for dispensing other fluids.

I claim- 1 In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir for the ink, having an ink-outlet below the level of the ink; and, means arranged to collapse said reservoir by tilting it, substantially as set forth.

2. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir for the ink, having an ink-outlet below the level of the ink; of pivotal supports for said reservoir and means arranged to collapse said reservoir by tilting it, substantially as set forth.

3. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir for the ink; of means arranged to automatically collapse said reservoir by tilting it, substantially as set forth.

4. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir for the ink; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; an ink-outlet below the level of the ink; and means arranged to automatically collapse said reservoir, when tilted, substantially as set forth.

5. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir for the ink; of a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; and means arranged to automatically compress said reservoir by tilting and thereby force ink into said font, substantially as set forth.

6. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir for the ink; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; and means arranged to automatically collapse said reservoir and thereby force ink into said font when tilted, substantially as set forth.

7. In an inkstand, the combination with collapsible reservoir; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; and a cam arranged to automatically collapse said reservoir, substantially as set forth.

8. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of a font in invariable relation with said reservoir, communicating therewith below the level of the ink; means arranged to automatically compress said reservoir and thereby charge said font; and means arranged to detain the reservoir in compressed position and thereby continuously charge said font, substantially as set forth.

9. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; means arranged to automatically compress said reservoir, when tilted, and thereby charge said font; and means arranged to detain said reservoir in tilted position, substantially as set forth.

10. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; a'font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink, and a cam arranged to compress the reservoir, when tilted, and permit its distention when released, substantially as set forth.

1 1. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; a rock-shaft carrying a cam arranged to compress said reservoir when tilted; a stop arranged to limit the movement of said cam; and a stop arranged to limit the movement of said reservoir, substantially as set forth.

12. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; a cam arranged to compress the reservoir when tilted, and to permit its distention when released; and a slide arranged to determine the movement of said reservoir, substantially as set forth.

13. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of pivotal supports for said reservoir; a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; a cam arranged to compress the reservoir, when tilted, and to permit its distention when released, and means arranged to limit the movement of said reservoir, substantially as set forth.

14. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible reservoir; of a casing for said reservoir; a font; a nipple below the level of the ink, extending through the wall of said reservoir and said casing, and comprising a flange arranged to bear against the inner surface of said reservoir; a square portion on said nipple arranged to extend through a square aperture in said casing; and an elbow connecting said font with said reservoir, in threaded engagement with said nipple, substantially as set forth.

15. In an inkstand, the combination with a reservoir; of axially-alined trunnions on said reservoir; and standards provided with bearings for said trunnions, and arranged to be flexed toward and away from each other, whereby said trunnions are alternately engaged and released with respect to said bearings, substantially as set forth.

16. In an inkstand, the combination with a frame comprising flexible standards; of a collapsible reservoir, detachably pivoted for oscillation in said standards; a font communicating with said reservoir below the level of the ink; and means, detachably supported in said standards, arranged to automatically collapse said reservoir, substantially as set forth.

17. In an inkstand, the combination with a frame comprising flexible standards; of a collapsible ink-reservoir pivoted in removable relation in said standards; a rock-shaft carrying a cam arranged to compress said reservoir and pivoted in said standards in such relation that by flexing them outwardly said rock-shaft and reservoir may be readily removed, substantially as set forth.

18. In an inkstand, the combination with a collapsible ink-reservoir; of a casing for said reservoir comprising an aperture; and mechanism extending through said aperture arranged to collapse said reservoir by pressing thereon, to expel ink therefrom, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 7th day of March, 1906.

JAMES A. IRVING.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, CLIFTON O. HALLowELL. 

